Alexander leads Calvert Hall to 23-14 win over Perry Hall

September 08, 1991|By Rich Scherr

It took the Perry Hall Gators nearly three quarters to score their first touchdown against host Calvert Hall yesterday. But just when it looked like the Gators had climbed back into the game, the Cardinals pulled away.

Yesterday's first meeting between the two schools was an example of how quickly momentum can change in a game. After the Gators' Wes Wedmore caught a 44-yard pass to the 1-yard line, setting up a Mike Stefanoni plunge into the end zone and bringing Perry to within a point of the lead, Calvert Hall's Tony Conrad returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for the game-breaking touchdown in Calvert Hall's 23-14 win.

"[Perry Hall] just about broke our backs with that long pass play," said coach Bill Mackley of Calvert Hall (1-0), "so to come right back with a long kickoff return really gave us a lift."

With the Cardinals leading, 9-8, after allowing the first Perry Hall touchdown, Conrad fielded the high kickoff at the 10, cut left and raced 90 yards down the left sideline, outpacing a host of Perry Hall players on his way to extending the Cardinals' lead to 16-8 with 2 minutes, 45 seconds left in the third quarter.

"I saw an opening on the outside so I took it," said Conrad, who came into the game when first-string kick returner Will Harcum (14 carries for 84 yards) came out.

Another Cardinal with a big day was quarterback Luther Alexander. The 6-foot-4 senior led a wide-open offense that racked up 247 yards for the day. Alexander carried the ball 10 times for 54 yards and completed four of seven passes.